Members update: Clack & Pavliv-Tokarska

Christopher Clack will be showing two pieces of work at the 5th annual Urban Dialogues exhibition from 2 - 14 October at Red Gallery, 3 Rivington St, London EC2A 3DT. The private view is on the evening of 1st October. All are welcome. 

 

"Clack’s work examines the relationship between art and religion and the part this relationship plays in the contemporary world. 

 

Part of a larger series of work, both In God We Are Imagined and God Is Dead Now Pray are influenced by the central ideas of Negative Theological thinking. Negative Theology attempts to describe God by negation; to think only in terms of what may not be said of God. Fundamentally, negative theology is an attempt to overcome the confines of language, it is a recognition that ideas of God and the Divine cannot be sufficiently addressed by human expression. Furthermore, it argues that attempts to do otherwise have been the cause of individual and inter-group conflict. The negative way is a process of removing that which causes conflict,

so that we can look beyond and behind the words. " 

 

The annual Campaign for Drawing has one aim, namely to get everyone drawing! Drawing helps us understand the world, see, feel, shape and communicate ideas. It is fun, accessible and an invaluable way to learn and enjoy daily life’s blessings.

 

To celebrate this medium, Tokarska Gallery in collaboration with Frank Gambino’s Life Drawing Class has organised a drawing event which will coincide with duration of The Big Draw exhibition at the Gallery. The show runs: 3 – 19 October 2013, Thur - Sat, 12 - 7 pm. Private View: Thur 3 October 2013, 6pm - 8pm. 

 

Additionally, Frank has arranged for an extra drawing class with a clothed model on Thur 10 October 2013, 6.30 – 9.30 pm. This is open to all age groups. Frank’s drawing classes provide an excellent platform for professional, beginner or amateur artists. Book your free place or just drop in and discover your hidden drawing talents.

Members update: Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska

Latest and well-known earlier works by Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska are at the Tokarska Gallery until 28 September 2013 (Thursday – Saturday, 12 - 7pm).

"In her works, Nadiya sees London as a expressive essence that takes on different dimensions and identities, delivered through a subtle balance of intensity, vibrancy and dynamics of the images.

More than often this vision of city expression as a being encompasses structures, humans, vehicles and other creations that collectively make an uncensored depiction of daily life in the city. Capturing energy of this collective formation serves as a great source of challenge and fascination for the Artist."

The Big Draw at Tokarska Gallery

Open Call:  Artists specialising in drawing are invited to take part in the annual Big Draw Campaign and submit their entries to the open call

Selected works will form a group show and displayed at Tokarska Gallery from 3 – 19 October 2013

To Apply:  please download and complete the application form http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/bigdraw
 
Price: £10 per application, with a maximum three images of different works to be submitted per application. Please note that the maximum size for the works submitted for this call is A1 size.
  
Closing Day for Applications: 1 September 2013

Prior to the Big Draw exhibition, the latest and well-known earlier works by Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska will be on show at the Gallery from 12 – 28 September 2013. In her works, Nadiya sees London as a expressive essence that takes on different dimensions and identities, delivered through a subtle balance of intensity, vibrancy and dynamics of the images.

Member's update

An exhibition of 'Stations of the Cross' by Valerie Dean is currently at the Diocesan Office for the Chelmsford Diocese (53 New Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1AT). Valerie's 'Stations' will be in the Boardroom at Guy Harlings until Friday 26th June. Visits are by arrangement during normal office hours, as the boardroom is in regular use. Please check access before you visit by ringing 01245 294400. Valerie is also exhibiting in Brussels during June.

Harvey Bradley is planning this year's Billericay Art Trail (http://www.billericayarttrail.co.uk/) and has included input from various c4m members.  The Big Draw is at Norsey Wood (http://www.basildon.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2410) with Mark Lewis and Peter Webb plus Joanna Bradley, Harvey Bradley, Dezadie and Julia Tanner (Saturday 20th July, 10am - 3pm). Arts Evening at St. Mary Magdalen (http://www.billericaychurches.org/html/st_mary_magdalen.html) with Tim Cunningham & Jonathan Evens (poetry), Colin Burns (music) and Dezadie (animations) plus a dance group and projected images from the Big Draw (Saturday 20th July, 7:30pm - 10pm).

Harvey is currently showing in an exhibition of work by selected members of ‘Anglian Potters’ at the Dolby Gallery Oundle (http://www.dolby-gallery.com/anglian-potters-selected-members-show-5-20-june-2013/) - until 29th June. 

The current show at the Tokarska Gallery (http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/current-exhibitions) has paintings by Sharon Drew which are modern-day Abstract Expressionism reinvented for the 21st Century. Imagine repeat-patterns disrupted by the gestural brushwork of American Artist De Kooning and the vivid hues of St Ives School British Painter, Patrick Heron. This show continues until 30th June.

Members' update: Clack, Evens and Pavliv-Tokarska

Christopher Clack has been included in the Creekside Open 2013 exhibition selected by Paul Noble - 2 - 26 May, Thursday to Sunday from 12noon to 5pm, free entry at the Art in Perpetuity Trust (APT), Harold Wharf, 6 Creekside, Deptford, London SE8 4SA. 


APT is a registered charity committed to promoting the value of creativity through the visual arts.  Located in South East London, APT supports an exceptional resource and facility for artists and the wider community. With the provision of secure studios and high quality exhibition space as a cornerstone, APT aims to foster an environment where creativity may flourish, forging links and collaborations with other professional bodies both locally, nationally and internationally.

3 MAKERS (I.Byers / A.Doidge / R.Harrison) is an exhibition of Ceramic sculpture at the Tokarska Gallery. Private View - Thursday 9 May, 6pm - 9pm. Show runs 9 May - 1 June, Thursday - Saturday, 12 - 7pm. Evening talks on contemporary ceramics by Keith Harrison on Tuesday 14 May 2013, 7 - 9pm. Talks by Bonnie Kemske on Thursday 23 May, 7- 9pm. See http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/3makers for more information.

Jonathan Evens has written a feature article for the Church Times on the work of Polish artist Marian Bohusz-Szyszko at St Christopher's Hospice. 

Members' update: Clorinda Goodman, Ross Ashmore and Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska

Lost and Found is an exhibition which looks at how artists find the inspiration for their work.  It could be an old photograph or a picture in a book that hasn’t been opened for years; a memory recalled by a piece of music or a fragment of ceramic found on the shores of the Thames.  These works have been made in the classes held in the Community Art Room in the Crypt of St John on Bethnal Green and consist of Mosaics, Stained Glass and Stone Carving. Included in the exhibition is Clorinda Goodman's stone carving Eden.

Lost and Found is at the Belfry, St John on Bethnal Green, 200 Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London E2  9PA. Opening days and times: 11-5pm Saturday April 6th, Sunday April 7th, Saturday April 13th and Sunday 14th. For more information, please contact Alex McHallam on 07751880247, email alex_mchallam@hotmail.com.

Ross Ashmore is exhibiting at ‘SPACE art gallery’ showing over 100 of his highly expressive impasto paintings from his project to paint every station on the London Underground – of which there are 267.

As an urban landscape artist, Ross feels compelled to document the ‘beauty in our streets’ before the inevitable changes society forces upon them. He endeavours to convey emotion in his paintings, revealed by his textural mark making in paint, creating energy – giving each painting a life of its own. Speaking of his work, Ross said: “I love the physicality of painting…and it’s everyday life that I want to highlight in my work. What better subject could there be than the streets where we find these wonderful stations.”

The exhibition is at SPACE art gallery, 141 High St, Southgate N14 6BP and will run until Friday 5 April.

Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska is currently exhibiting at the Tokarska Gallery. In her works, Nadiya sees London as a soulful essence that takes on different dimensions and identities, delivered through a subtle balance of intensity, vibrancy and dynamics of the images.

The following show at the Tokarska Gallery is Seeking for INNER-SELF by Christophe Lenoble. Private View - 4 April 2013, 6pm - 9pm. Show runs 4 - 27 April 2013, Thursday - Saturday, 12pm - 7pm.

CiTiES: All Dimensions Part 2

Part 2 of CiTiES: All Dimensions, an exhibition celebrating urban-living and virtual-architecture, will open shortly at the Tokarska Gallery:

• Thursday 7 March 2013 – Private view will be held at Tokarska Gallery, 6pm-8pm
• Saturday 9 March 2013 – Performance night: 6-9pm. Music provided by Mark Beazley
• Thur 7 March – Sun 17 March 2013 – Exhibition will be open to the public Thursday to Saturday 12 – 7pm 

CiTiES: All Dimensions

Celebrating urban-living and virtual-architecture the call for entries for CiTiES: All Dimensions by the Tokarska Gallery invited regional and international artists to showcase their deeply personal perceptions of modern inhabiting. With hundreds of entries from across the globe the resulting show offers the selected artists a prestigious platform for cultural integration and an exclusive opportunity to network with artists and critics in this genre.

The show, which will be split into two parts, will begin with the Private View on 14 February 2013. At the Private Views you can meet some of the artists behind the works on show, which will include sculpture, paintings, photographs and installations.

CiTiES: All Dimensions Part 1:
Thursday 14 February 2013 – Private view at Tokarska Gallery, 6pm-8pm
Saturday 23 February 2013 – Performance night 6-9pm. Music provided by Young Zen
14 Feb 2013 – 24 Feb 2013 Exhibition will be open to the public Thur - Sat 12pm – 7pm

Members' updates

Harvey Bradley has an excellent new website showcasing both his ceramics and paintings which can be viewed at http://www.harveybradley.co.uk/Harvey%20Bradley/home.html. 

Mark Lewis and Peter Webb are organising a Big Draw style event for Saturday 16th February in the St Mary's Memorial Hall alongside St Mary's Woodford. There is also likely to be a small c4m exhibition in the Memorial Hall on the same day. Contact Mark on pharos@sketchbook.wanadoo.co.uk or Peter on oilpaint@hotmail.co.uk for more information.

Mark is also planning an exhibition of his sketchbooks at the School of Jewellery in Birmingham for two weeks from 16th April. Many of his sketchbooks, used weekly on the train journey from London to Birmingham, will be digitised and displayed on flat screens in the exhibition.

At the Tokarska Gallery Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska is preparing for the next exhibition No-one to bestow by Emma Scutt (Private View 7 February, 6pm - 9pm with the show running from 5 - 9 February Tuesday - Saturday, 12pm - 7pm) as well as finalising their Open call for an exciting future exhibition entitled CiTiES:All Dimensions where the deadline for submission is 20 January.

Member's update: Colin Burns and Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska

Colin Burns (www.colinjosephburns.co.uk) will be exhibiting paintings along with other members of Cluburban in the Cluburban Christmas Exhibition, 1st December - 5th January at St Paul’s Church, Shadwell, 302 The Highway, London, E1W 3DH. A location map of St Paul’s Shadwell can be found at:
http://www.stpaulsshadwell.org/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=212380. Cluburban is a forum for Arts and Inner Change providing opportunities for engaging with other artists through informal breakfast and supper gatherings.

The next exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery will be a juried open exhibition of children's drawings called Drawing the Culture. This is the second year of this art competition and exhibition organised by the Gallery which provides the opportunity for the finalists in both age categories to exhibit work at the Gallery. The Private View and Award Ceremony will be on 1st December (3-5pm) and the exhibition will run from 1 - 15 December. 

Member's update: Harvey Bradley and Nadiya Tokarska Pavliv

Harvey Bradley is exhibiting in 'Soulful Ceramics & Peaceful Paintings' with Peter Deans, Mike Lang, Linda Claxton and David Bostock at the Maeldune Centre in Maldon from 18th October to 10th November. See above for opening times.

The current show at the Tokarska Gallery - Corsham Re-formed - can be seen until 20 October, Thur - Sat, 12pm - 7pm. This show explores the continuing influence of a uniquely British institution, Bath Academy of Art. The artists are drawn from the final years of the college’s independence in Corsham, near Bath in Wiltshire, over 20 years ago. A small number of the group moved to East London in 1987 and have been pursuing their creative work, some alongside other careers, ever since.

The following show will be Paintings by Jess Levine. Private View - 3 November 2012, 6pm - 8pm
Show runs 1 - 10 November 2012, Thur - Sat, 12pm - 7pm. Jess Levine's work stems from various sources which include personal travels, Kentish landscape, current affairs, childhood memories and textile designs. 

Tokarska Gallery update

The Tokarska Gallery is seeking entries for a Group Show at the Gallery during 14 - 24 February 2013.

In 2008, the world reached an invisible but momentous milestone: For the first time in history, more than half its human population were living in urban areas. It is estimated that the next few decades will see an unprecedented scale of urban growth. Living in the city is a fact of modern life. From the rich architectural and cultural heritage, vibrant demographics to long commutes and large crowds, life living and working in a city takes on different dimensions.

Cities influence their residents in many ways. Some see them as ever-changing complex urban systems, yet some see them as captivating fragments of our existence. This show will give artists the opportunity to express themselves creatively through their interpretation of the given theme. For more details visit the gallery website: http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/citiesalldimensions.


The new exhibition at the Gallery, which opens today, is of paintings by the Polish artist, Maciej Hoffman.   Janusz Golik has said of this artist's work: “What is striking in Maciej Hoffman’s paintings is particularly their pugnacity. It is the courage in the way he operates with the color, material and texture. This pugnacity is valuable as it is courageous. There is the directness. There is not a moment of reflection about whether it is right or wrong. There is a human impulse. The painting speaks for itself. That is the force that convinces us, the viewers, that the artist knows what he is doing. His paintings are‘intercepted’ by the viewers. I observe it in the gallery. This pugnacity, this impetuousness, this revolt is like a conquest of man. There is no manipulation, calculation or smuggling of anything. This is how I see it.”

The Gallery is also currently running a juried open art competition leading to an exhibition for children and young people. Called 'Drawing the Culture' details can be found by clicking here.

E17 Art Trail: Steven Saxby interview

Steven Saxby has been interviewed about his curation of exhibitions for the E17 Art Trail. Click here to read the interview in which he says: "It is very exciting that we have these artist expressions of thoughts and feelings and reflections on what is meaningful in their lives and how this can communicate with others ... I always liked the relationship between art and expression and how people are communicating something about their lives."

Steven has once again organised an amazing line-up of artworks for the E17 Art Trail at St Barnabas and St Saviours, both in Walthamstow. Click here for information about the 16 different displays/events at St Barnabas and here for the 7 displays/events at St Saviours.

Another c4m member Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska is contributing two displays at the Tokarska Gallery. Click here for details.

When deciding the theme for this year’s E17 Art Trail the organisers knew they had to find an expression to reflect the generosity of all who make this such a rich festival programme. Bestow giftwraps the invitation of almost 3000 practising artists and creative contributors, an invitation to enjoy the vision, to relish the gifts and to consider the ideas of our creative community. Doors are open to you revealing new compositions in artists workspaces and homes. Poets, playwrights, musicians, and comics will captivate you with stories old and new. You will encounter art that is joyous, challenging, confrontational, delightful, humourous, distinguished, ambitious and enterprising. Enjoy your visit, and treasure the memories.

Bestow - the 2012 E17 Art Trail

c4m member Rev. Steven Saxby has once again organised an amazing line-up of artworks for the E17 Art Trail at St Barnabas and St Saviours, both in Walthamstow. Click here for information about the 16 different displays/events at St Barnabas and here for the 7 displays/events at St Saviours.

Another c4m member Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska is contributing two displays at the Tokarska Gallery. Click here for details. Nadiya's own cityscapes of Finsbury Circus are currently on display at the gallery until 25th August - don't miss the opportunity to see these works!

When deciding the theme for this year’s E17 Art Trail the organisers knew they had to find an expression to reflect the generosity of all who make this such a rich festival programme. Bestow giftwraps the invitation of almost 3000 practising artists and creative contributors, an invitation to enjoy the vision, to relish the gifts and to consider the ideas of our creative community. Doors are open to you revealing new compositions in artists workspaces and homes. Poets, playwrights, musicians, and comics will captivate you with stories old and new. You will encounter art that is joyous, challenging, confrontational, delightful, humourous, distinguished, ambitious and enterprising. Enjoy your visit, and treasure the memories. The E17 Art Trail 2012 will open on Saturday 1st September with a launch event.

Member's updates

Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska's Contemporary Cityscapes: After E Hopper and D Hepher is currently at the Tokarska Gallery and runs until 25th August, Wed - Sat, 12.00pm - 7.00pm.

For the last few years Nadiya has been captivated by the complexity and splendour of houses forming Finsbury Circus, near Moorgate in central London. The magnificent quartet of Victorian buildings, formed in an oval, stands today as an understated tribute to human endeavour. It is only natural that we respond to some places and settings more than others. The ways the buildings are grouped and located often forms the sole and visual aesthetics of that very site, capturing our attention and prompting emotional responses as a result. In this exhibition Nadiya takes the viewer on the visual journey through London’s streets. Inspired by the greats, she keeps the past beautifully present.

Valerie Dean will be showing at the 83rd annual exhibition of member's work organised by the Society of Catholic Artists. This year's exhibition will be at St Joseph's Hall, Brompton Oratory, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RP from 5th - 12th August from 10.00a.m. to 8.00p.m., except for last day (5.30p.m.).

Valerie has also notified us that there will be an exhibition of Christian art in the chapter house of Canterbury Cathedral from 6th - 26th August, 10.00a.m. to 5.30p.m. The entry fee to the cathedral needs to be paid in order to see this exhibition.

c4m member's update: two PVs and a Talk

The latest exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery is Katherine Green / 1948 Olympians (21 June - 21 July 2012) with the Private View on 21 June 2012 from 6pm - 9pm. 1948 was the last time the Olympics were held in London. The contrast is stark; London was recovering from war, athletes weren’t paid, were training on rations whilst working full-time and many had to hand sew their own kit. During the past six years, Katherine Green has has been meeting with, photographing and recording interviews with the British Olympic Team from the 1948 Olympics. Now in their 80s and 90s, they share their extraordinary stories in this touring exhibition.

Andrew Graham-Dixon will give a talk about Caravaggio at the Tokarska Gallery on Friday 20 July 2012, 6pm - 9pm. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) lived the darkest and most dangerous life of any of the great painters. The worlds of Milan, Rome and Naples through which Caravaggio moved, and which Andrew Graham-Dixon describes brilliantly in his latest book Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane, are those of cardinals and whores, prayer and violence. Andrew Graham-Dixon is one of the leading figures in broadcasting in the UK, having presented seven major television series on art for the BBC – more than anyone else in the corporation’s history. He has been researching Caravaggio’s life and art for more than ten years, and the results of that work are now drawn together in this book. This is a ticketed event with an Entry Fee £10 - see http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/ to book.

Project 2012 is back with a third exhibition showcasing an eclectic selection of artworks and with a special intervention on the opening night by CHRISTOPHER CLACK [http://christopherclack.co.uk/]. Christopher will be providing personalised Death Certificates for all who believe the world is due to end on 21 December 2012. Project 2012 aims to provide a platform to reflect on the path our society has taken in relation to other cultures throughout history as well as nature. The end of the world can be an inspiring source for creation and destruction, whether you believe it is coming or not.

FEATURED ARTISTS in the exhibition are: FRAN COPEMAN [http://francopeman.blogspot.co.uk/]; JOSEPH FALCONER [http://joefalconer.com/];  SEDI GHADIRI [http://theyellownotes.tumblr.com/]; ANDREW HLADKY [http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewhladky/]; SARAH LE ROY [http://www.saraleroy.com/]; HELEN SAUNDERS [http://www.helensaunders.co.uk/]; and GARY WINSHIP [http://www.reconstruct-art.com/].

The VENUE is: ARBEIT GALLERY, 4 Helmet Row EC1V 3QJ, London [http://arbeit.org.uk/]. HOW TO GET THERE: Tube: Old Street {Northern line}; Train: Old Street; Buses: 55/243/N35/N55. PRIVATE VIEW: Tuesday: 6pm-9pm. REST OF THE DAYS: Wednesday:11am-6pm; Thursday:11am-6pm; Friday:11am-6pm; Saturday:11am-6pm. Events page: https://www.facebook.com/events/187294234730523/

c4m members update

Ceramics by Richard Baxter can be seen at the Contemporary Designer-Makers Fair this weekend at Highgate Literary and Scientific Institute. The Private View is on Friday 25th May, 6.00 - 8.30pm (no ticket needed). This is an inspirational selling show of work by designer-makers, at the border of art and craft. Up to 20 exhibitors, working with as wide a variety of materials as possible, will be displaying their work: jewellery, ceramics, quilts, fabrics, furniture, glass, book-binding, textiles, sculpture.

Harvey Bradley will give a painting demonstration and Mark Lewis and Jonathan Evens are giving art talks on Saturday 26th May at the Run with the Fire exhibition in the Strand Gallery (32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP), as part of the Pentecost Festival. The full programme is:

• Painting demonstration – Harvey Bradley, ongoing throughout the day. See Harvey work on a painting and discuss his approach with him.
• The Spiritual Image in Modern Art - Mark Lewis, 11.30am. A broad overview of the spiritual impulse in the art forms of the modern world and their potential to turn our minds to higher things.
• Run with the Fire – Steve Scott, 12.30pm. A talk about the ‘Run with the Fire’ project and DVD.
• Stanley Spencer – A Visionary of our Time – Mark Lewis, 2.00pm. A talk which examines the life and work of one of Britain’s most renowned and eccentric 20th Century painters. The main themes include Spencer’s time as a war artist, and his extraordinary paintings which envision the Christian Gospels played out by the people in his beloved home town of Cookham.
• Praying with our eyes open – Glenn Lowcock, 3.00pm. A talk on using images as an aid to prayer.
• Emotional Tourist – Steve Scott, 4.00pm. What I am learning about art, life, spirituality, Trinity, and relational aesthetics from my travels in Bali and elsewhere.
• Christian influences on modern & contemporary art – Jonathan Evens, 5.00pm. A broad overview of modern and contemporary art and artists which engage with Christianity.

Colin Burns has an excellent new album out called Emerald & Gold with guitar pieces and songs. He can be heard playing at Caffe Nero, High Street, Southend, 6.00 - 8.00pm, Sunday 27th May.

“LOOKING INTO GLORY” is an exhibition of paintings, drawings and poems by Andrew Vessey from 30^th May – 17^th June, 2012 at Gallery Two, Wingfield Barns, Church Road, Wingfield, IP21 5RA (Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm, Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm). This solo exhibition includes an illustrated lecture by Andrew, a retired priest who previously trained in and taught fine art and art history. Entitled “Art, Imagination and God”, the Lecture will take place in the Gallery on Thursday 31^st May starting at 7.30pm.

Fade In Fade Out is the current exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery (until 9 June). Artist and painter, Kathleen Mullaniff, has a second obsession. An obsession which is at once attached to and envelope her small studio. The visitor is invited into the garden, and eventually through a garland of soft winter hues that surround the entrance to her studio. The borders are dormant now. But cross the threshold into the studio and these same sleeping winter colours are revealed through line and mark, in a series of pristine canvases. Marianne North would recognize the samples of seedpods, branches, twigs, dried petals and leaves imported into the studio from the garden, the salvaged fragments that form the still life source for this series of immaculate paintings. The local girl, intrepid explorer and botanist and the inspiration for Kathleen’s new body of work, collected her specimens from the furthest reaches of the natural world. Her expansive travel and analytical account of the exotic, compliments Kathleen’s newest work where stepping into the garden, has re-envigorated and affirmed the notion of place, the local close up, an intimate commune with the melancholy of change, the micro into the macro, William Blake’s ‘world in a grain of sand’.

Two exhibitions

“LOOKING INTO GLORY” is an exhibition of paintings, drawings and poems by

Andrew Vessey from 30^th May – 17^th June, 2012 at Gallery Two, Wingfield Barns, Church Road, Wingfield, IP21 5RA (Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am  –  5.00 pm, Sunday 10.00 am  –  4.00 pm). This solo exhibition includes an illustrated lecture by Andrew, a retired priest who previously trained in and taught fine art and art history. Entitled “Art, Imagination and God”,.

the Lecture will take place in the Gallery on Thursday 31^st May starting at 7.30pm.

2012BC is the next exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery (10 - 19 May 2012). The Private View is
10 May 2012 from 6pm - 9pm. 2012BC features work by Sophie Bancroft, Hannah Humphrys, Daniel Salisbury, Polly Saunders and Matt Webb.

 

Sophie Bancroft is an artist based in the West Midlands who is currently focused within the combined disciplines of painting and sculpture. Having recently made the move from all space consuming canvases stretched directly onto walls, Bancroft is currently investigating the idea of painting in relation to the creation of sculptures. Concerned with colour, mark making and structure, she loads mdf forms with excesses of over watered acrylics. As a parallel exploration to this, Bancroft is also focused upon the idea of her audience 'exploring' her work through physical interaction.
http://www.sophie-bancroft.com/
http://www.colourwillfall.tumblr.com/

Hannah Humphreys is an artist based in the West Midlands she produces abstract paintings which are inspired by a personal automatic narrative, which becomes descriptive, yet allusive. This narrative is used as part of the process in making the work. It is not her aim to reveal her subconscious mind nor to direct meaning, but to transport the viewer imaginatively in to a unique visual world; escaping from reality, crossing the boundaries from the outer to inner world.

From politics and newspaper headlines to history and social matters, Daniel Salisbury is an artist who tries to find humour where-ever he can. Never constrained by any one medium or method of working Daniel uses humour as an element of surprise, a release of tension built up through a narrative or often a lack of. Humour is one of the more powerful ways to get a message or point across; people are 60% more likely to remember information that is humouress. Laughter is a powerful tool.

As an artist Polly Saunders is concerned with problems of representation. Through large -scale charcoal drawings she investigates the problem of likeness and recognition in figurative art. Currently her drawings focus on representation in the Aristotelian term of ‘making present.’ In her drawings she seeks to distort the visual experience of recognition through cross-referencing multiple images simultaneously mirroring the experience of perception itself.
http://www.pollysaunders.co.uk/

Matt Webb is a visual narrative artist based in Birmingham, Uk. His practice focuses predominantly on the comic medium and how this can be explored formally and conceptually within the art environment. He looks to broaden and enhance the comic's growing reputation as a medium through which we can create art by presenting narratives that are both ambiguous and open to interpretation.
http://www.webbart.co.uk/

Member's update

Michael Creasey and Peter Webb will both be exhibiting works in the Spring Exhibition of the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers which is being held at Lauderdale House from 14th - 25th March. The Private View is from 7.30pm on 14th March.

Mythology in London by Anna Alcock is the next exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery (15th - 31st March), with a Private View on 15th March, 6.00 - 9.00pm.

Anna Alcock’s love stories and mythology started when she was young and continued to grow through her studies in South Africa when she majored in Classical Civilisations as part of her BA Fine Art (Hons) degree. She completed a MA Printmaking in London in 2004. She exhibits regularly and her art is in private and public collections around the world.

Anna Alcock uses Greek and Roman mythological images and populates them with modern day narratives that are of significance to her living in London now. The exhibition will also include an exclusive bound suite of 15 etchings, which will be exhibited alongside etching collages and tabloids of myths with personal modern day stories that she imbues with her unique style and bold colours.

By using her experience of London and applying ancient Greek and Roman cultural thinking the theme of mythology is applied to everyday events for example bankers loss of status during the recent recession is illustrated by the myth of “Icarus”. Archetypes are found in our unconscious daily lives as shown in “Demeter”, the story of a mother’s search for her daughter “Persephone” and the resulting winter of her grief.

Tokarska have also arranged a Taster Etching Workshop with Anna Alcock for 17 March (4.00 - 7.00pm) at the Gallery. All materials are provided. The workshop provides an opportunity to do your own little etching using ferric chloride and then printing it with an etching press onto 100% cotton paper. You get to take your prints and plate home. Booking is essential.

Members update

Valerie Dean has recently completed the set of Stations of the Cross on which she has been working. They have a very clear and intense focus on details which are evocative of the whole, as can be seen from the photographs she has taken of the set which can be viewed here. Valerie is keen to discuss ways of making these Stations available for any church that would be interested in having them. 

Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska has sent information about the next exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery. Mythology in London by Anna Alcock runs from 15th - 31st March. The Private View is on 15th March from 6 - 9pm. Anna Alcock uses Greek and Roman mythological images and populates them with modern day narratives that are of significance to her living in London now. The exhibition will also include an exclusive bound suite of 15 etchings, which will be exhibited alongside etching collages and tabloids of myths with personal modern day stories that she imbues with her unique style and bold colours.

The Tokarska Gallery are also publicising their annual 'Drawing the Culture' competition for children and young people (see http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/drawing-the-culture). This is a juried open exhibition of children's drawings.
The next exhibition by the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers, of which c4m artists Michael Creasey and Peter Webb are members, will be held at Launderdale House from 13th - 25th March.

Andrew Vessey has set up a website for his art and poetry. He writes that the website offers:

"the chance for making sensible and clear witness to my own Christian values, which have always determined how one paints as much as what I have been trying to achieve. To do theology on line in a website and give voice to the motivation which lies behind many of my ideas is a new challenge. I hope you'll be able to discern more than passing reference to having been a parish priest, or an art teacher for that matter, as the connections I am looking for, and the aspiration for thinking and then developing them as avenues of prayer and reflection, is one I welcome as a very exciting new form of ministry. I trust that my art will help move people on from the very tired language and inadequate symbolism that constitutes so much church art, to one that is rooted in the incarnation within us and divine glory around us."

Andrew will be exhibiting from 29th May - 17th June at Gallery Two, Wingfield Barns, Wingfield, Suffolk. This solo show of 60+ works will have new oil paintings "Looking into Glory" as the major focus, constituting a series of Stations on the Post-Resurrection as described in St John 21.

Jonathan Evens will be speaking on commission4mission and understandings of Christian Art at the February Learning Supper for West Mersea Parish Church (6.30pm, Sunday 26th February). Learning Suppers on Mersea Island include a time of worship, teaching, prayer and a convivial supper of soup, cheese and wine on the 4th Sunday in the month. Jonathan will also be using his Mark of the Cross and Seven Words from the Cross meditations in the three hour devotional which he will be leading at St Margaret's Barking on Good Friday from 12 noon to 3.00pm.